Results, questions, perspectives of a study on human Polyomavirus BK and molecular actors in prostate cancer development

Monica Mischitelli; Anna Bellizzi; Elena Anzivino; Donatella Maria Rodio; Alessandro Sciarra; Vincenzo Gentile; Valeria Pietropaolo

Results, questions, perspectives of a study on human Polyomavirus BK and molecular actors in prostate cancer development

Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2015 Mar-Apr;12(2):57-65.

Authors

Monica Mischitelli¹, Anna Bellizzi², Elena Anzivino³, Donatella Maria Rodio³, Alessandro Sciarra⁴, Vincenzo Gentile⁴, Valeria Pietropaolo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome, Rome, Italy Department of the Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment (SAFE), University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
² Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Institute Pasteur, Cenci-Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Department of Neuroscience, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
³ Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁴ Department of Urology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁵ Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome, Rome, Italy Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.

PMID: 25770188

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is a common tumor in Western countries. Several risk factors play significant roles. MYC, BIRC5/survivin, CDC25 and P53 may contribute to PC risk. As demonstrated, human Polyomavirus BK (BKV) could affect cellular homeostasis contributing to PC pathogenesis.

Materials and methods: Biological samples were collected from PC patients. Viral RNA was searched using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), whereas a qualitative PCR was employed to find particular viral sequences. Proper size amplicons were analyzed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in p53 coding regions by means of a specific PCR. C-MYC, BIRC5/survivin and CDC25 gene expression was investigated using a Retro Transcriptional Quantitative PCR.

Results: Viral DNA copy number was higher in cancer tissues taken from Gleason score 9 patients with Gleason score 7. Different p53 mutated compared to patients exons were found according to tumor advanced stage and a statistical significant correlation was found between Gleason score and p53 mutational rate. C-MYC, BIRC5/survivin and CDC25 expression was de-regulated according to the literature.

Conclusion: The presence of BKV and its variants in transformed cells does not exclude viral pressure in cell immortalization. Expression of other target genes evidenced a significant change in their regulation, useful for cancer drug discovery and therapies.

Keywords: BKV infected prostate cells; Prostate cancer development; human Polyomavirus BK; oncogenes; p53 mutational rate.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

BK Virus / physiology*
Base Sequence
Biopsy
Exons / genetics
Genes, Neoplasm
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
Prostatic Neoplasms / virology*
Sequence Alignment
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics

Substances

Tumor Suppressor Protein p53